Plum 'Jefferson'

The 'Jefferson' plum is an American-raised gage-like plum that has found a true home in UK gardens since the 19th century. This variety is prized for its exceptional dessert quality, often considered equal to the classic Old Green Gage but with a more robust constitution. The tree has a moderately vigorous, spreading habit and is a reliable cropper when provided with a compatible pollinator, such as 'Denniston's Superb'. In spring, it provides a profusion of white flowers. The fruit is large, oval, and golden-yellow when fully ripe, occasionally sporting a faint bronze flush. The flesh is translucent gold, firm, juicy, and incredibly sweet with a rich, honeyed flavour. It reaches maturity in mid to late August. While most stone fruits prefer high light levels, 'Jefferson' is particularly successful when grown against a south-facing wall in the UK, which helps concentrate its sugars and ensures wood ripening.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Deep, fertile, well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: Apr.